Valencia slip up away to Eibar after harsh penalty call

August, 27 2016 -

Valencia CF went down 1-0 away to SD Eibar with Pedro Leon getting the only goal after keeper Maty Ryan saved a penalty harshly awarded.

The blanquinegros showed plenty of bright football in the first half and had the chances to take the lead but instead it was Eibar that went following the strict penalty call.

A cross from Kike hit the arm of Aymen Abdennour, with apparently no intention from the Valencia player, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Ryan guessed right and pulled off a great save from Pedro Leon but it went straight back to the Eibar player who put the home side ahead just after the hour mark.

Valencia looked to bounce back after their opening day defeat by Las Palmas where they had dominated long spells of the game but the visitors had been more clinical in front of goal.

Summer signings Nani and Mario Suárez made their debuts and they made a bright start with José Luis Gayà attacking down the wing and his cross was just out of the reach of Rodrigo who stretched but couldn’t divert the ball goalwards.

Santi Mina has started the season brightly with two goals in the first LaLiga game and he produced a spectacular overhead kick that was ruled offside.

Rodrigo was put clear by a ball over the top but rather than shoot, he looked to square for Mina and the ball was cut out.

A deep cross from Nani picked out Abdennour but his header went into the ground and over the crossbar.

Valencia shaded the possession in midfield where they moved the ball around well but the main difference was in attack where they created far more danger in the first half, even though they failed to take advantage.

Mina fired wide in front of goal albeit under pressure from defenders and then again from a Gayà cross the Galician was well placed in the box but missed the target.

Just before half time, Eibar created their first moment of real danger when Escalante won a header from a corner but the ball went just wide.

After the break Ryan saved a long range free-kick by Bebe and while Eibar were carrying more of an attacking threat the goal after the penalty still came against the run of play.

Abdennour seemed to involuntarily handle the ball that led to the penalty and then Ryan was unlucky after making a superb reaction save.

Valencia tried to respond with Pérez having a 20 yard shot tipped round the post by keeper Asier Riesgo and then from the resulting corner Abdennour’s header went just side.

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